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Community Access

Are you unaffiliated with UBC? There are many resources, services, events, and spaces you can access through the Library! Read this guide to learn more.

Connect with a Community Engagement Librarian

Allan Cho (he/him)

Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, UBC
allan.cho@ubc.ca
604-827-4366

Allan’s work includes supporting ongoing community initiatives and leading new ones, focusing on community engagement with historically underrepresented groups, piloting IKBLC’s AskAway coordination, subject liaison librarian with the School of Information, and developing a new speaker series with the support of the Peña Family Foundation.

Donna Langille (she/her/they/them)

Community Engagement and Open Education Librarian
UBC Okanagan Library
donna.langille@ubc.ca
250 807-9233

As Community Engagement and Open Education Librarian, Donna works to improve access to scholarly research for community members. You can find her at the UBC Innovation Library where community members can access many of UBC’s electronic resources. Contact them by email to schedule an appointment.

Kayla Lar-Son (she/her/they/them)

Indigenous Programs and Services Librarian
X̱wi7x̱wa Library, UBC
kayla.lar-son@ubc.ca
604-817-8091

Kayla is Metis from Treaty Six Territory and is the Indigenous programs and services librarian for the Xwi7xwa Library. Along with her colleagues at X̱wi7x̱wa, she works to provide Indigenous communities with culturally relative services and programs on the UBC campus and beyond. Kayla is also the program manager librarian for the Indigitization program. You can contact her through email.

Aleha McCauley (she/her)

Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, UBC
aleha.mccauley@ubc.ca
604-827-3906

Aleha is involved in several community initiatives that strive to improve access to research for community members, organizations and businesses across BC. Aleha welcomes you to connect with her by email.

Nick Ubels (he/him/his)

Community Engagement Librarian
UBC Learning Exchange & Irving. K. Barber Learning Centre
nick.ubels@ubc.ca
604 827-0905

As an embedded community engagement librarian at the UBC Learning Exchange in the Downtown Eastside (DTES), Nick works with community members and non-profit organizations to improve access to scholarly research. Contact him by e-mail to set up a free one-to-one research consultations or get help using the DTES Research Access Portal.

Visit our branches

You are most welcome to visit UBC Library! We’d love to see you. When you’re at one of our branches, you have free access to:

Did you know that UBC Library includes 15 branches and divisions? These branches are located at the UBC Vancouver campus, the UBC Okanagan campus, and off-campus at Vancouver General Hospital. Each branch has a special focus, such as Asian languages or Indigenous scholarship. You can find a directory of branches, hours, and descriptions here. We recommend that you call a branch before visiting to confirm when they are open.

Local service options

A good place to get started on the Vancouver campus is the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, located at 1961 East Mall. The friendly staff at the Chapman Learning Commons Help Desk, located on the third floor, would be happy to help you get started.

Plan your visit to the Vancouver campus

From museums and galleries to gardens and live performances, UBC’s Vancouver campus has plenty of things to offer visitors. Find out more about activities and attractions on campus through the Welcome Centre.

Getting there and around

You can get to the Vancouver campus by bus, bicycle or car. The R4, 44, 84 and 99 express buses run directly to the Vancouver campus. Find more information about how to get to campus here.

For up-to-date parking information, including rates and availability, visit UBC Parking.

You can find a map of UBC Library branches, including opening hours, here.

Helpful resources to make the most of your visit

  • Where to find campus washrooms and prayer rooms - Map
  • Where to find microwaves, kettles, and sinks - please note: some of these locations are only available to students - Map
  • Where to purchase food on campus - Map
  • Where to find free menstrual product dispensers

If you are seeking health information in Vancouver, visit the UBC Biomedical Branch Library. It’s located in the Diamond Health Care Centre at the corner of Oak and 12th Avenue, on the second floor. Note: please check current COVID-19 mitigation measures at Vancouver General Hospital before planning your visit. Or call the branch library at (604) 875-4505.

If you are in the Okanagan, you can get started at either the main campus Okanagan Library or the downtown Innovation Library (located on the 2nd floor of the downtown Kelowna branch of the Okanagan Regional Library). The Okanagan Library has many community services and resources available including access to books and community-centered spaces.

Plan your visit to the Okanagan campus

Find out more about activities and attractions on campus through the Welcome Centre.

Getting there and around

You can get to the Okanagan campus by bus, bicycle or car. The 4, 6, 90, 23, 8, 13, and 97 buses run directly to the Okanagan campus. The closest bus stations are the UBCO Exchange and the UBCO Exchange Bay E. Find more information about how to get to campus on the UBC Okanagan Transportation website.

Driving to campus? Parking information is available on the UBC Parking Services website.

Visit the UBC Okanagan Library website for information about our opening hours.

Helpful resources to make the most of your visit

Where to find accessible and all-gender washrooms on campus - list

Where to purchase food on campus - website